Let’s face it, Melbourne always has something interesting happening – I’m waiting for the day when our number plates just become “The Awesome State”. This week is no exception.

ILL –Logic Exhibition
This Thursday ILL- Logic will once again take over Chapel Street, Fitzroy after a successful debut last year. The annual exhibition/street party celebrates the work of local and international street artists, with stencil, graffiti, paint, video and illustration art being showcased. DJ’s and projections will also add to the audio/visual stimuli of the night, and a mysterious artist “Sex Panther” will be in attendance. On top of this, newish back-alley Fitzroy cafe Juddy Roller is open throughout the event. Oh how the paint will spray and drinks will flow!
When: August 25th from 6pm
Where: Chapel Street, Fitzroy
Web: www.ill-logicexhibition.com

Stories Unbound
When someone says Writers Festival it’s hard not to imagine a bunch of self important guys and girls in glasses prattling on about their work. ‘Writers’ love the sound of their own voice, ‘voice’ being the distinctive personal style of writing on the page, not the actual sound of there own voice, ‘page’ being any place that words are written not literally a page, ‘literally’ being… This year’s Melbourne Writers Festival isn’t really like that. In fact in a move that may send shivers up many a spine MWF is moving away books and instead focusing in on things far more novel. This year’s festival will explore the ever changing way we consume stories, words and ideas. There will be people talking about TV, food, wine, journalism, graphic novels and music (and probably a few people talking about books too). It starts this Friday. My pick – Shaun Tan’s The Arrival.
What: Festival of Words
Where: Melbourne-wide
When: August 25 – September 4
Web: www.mwf.com.au/2011

The Future is Retro
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti Art Class is something of a global movement. For the uninitiated, on the last Sunday of the month the class is treated to a dazzling night of fun in the form of burlesque, boogie woogie and of course life drawing. This month starlet Rosy Rabbit, one of the highlights of Red Bennies upcoming burlesque show Metropolis 2040 will be on hand modeling and performing a sneak peak of her new routine – a tribute to Barbarella. Bring your own sketchbooks, finger-paints, crayons and pencils
What: Life Drawing
When: Sunday 28 August 5 – 7pm (doors open 4.30pm)
Where: The Toff in Town Curtain House 2/252 Swanston St Melbourne
Web: www.thetoffintown.com
Bookings: $15 at the door, or pre book at www.moshtix.com.au

For The Record
The Raw Gallery specialises in fine art music photography, selling signed, limited edition photographs from the archives of an impressive array of both Australian and internationally renowned photographers. This Saturday they’re hosting a record fair featuring a mix of vintage albums, rarities, to suit all music tastes. Also in the mix – DJs and drinks.
What: Records
Where: The Raw Gallery, 11 Yarra Place, South Melbourne
When: Saturday 27 August 10am – 5pm

Stream Is Of By Them Painting Healing MindStratfield Mantra is series of paintings by David Freney-Mills exploring the theme of healing and mediation by drawing text from poetic, philosophical and political sources, chopping them up and sticking them randomly back together to create a visual stream of consciousness from an unclear mind. It’s on now until August 31.
What: Words and Paint
Where: PB Gallery Swinburne University Prahran Campus, PB Building St. John Street, Prahran.
When: Until Aug 31, Mon – Sat 1pm to 6pm.

Happy MondayFrancolin is the kind of band who are not only incredibly talented musicians and songwriters but also have the ability to conger a little bit of sunshine in everything they do. This Monday is the last week of Francolin’s residency at The Evelyn Hotel. Entry is Free. Jugs are $10. Support from Seagull and Pascale Babare. If the previous weeks are anything to go by it’s bound to be packed with gorgeous happy people dancing. One of those people could be you.
What: Gig
Where: Evelyn Hotel, 351 Brunswick St Fitzroy
When: Monday 29 August, 915pm-ish till 11.30pm
Web: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118606308234209